R. v. Smith (E.E.) (No. 2), (1990) 88 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 306 (NFPC)

• Judge: Goulding, P.C.J.
• Court: Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Court (Canada)
• Case Date: December 10, 1990
• Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
• Citations: (1990), 88 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 306 (NFPC)

R. v. Smith (E.E.) (1990), 88 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 306 (NFPC);

    274 A.P.R. 306

MLB headnote and full text

Her Majesty The Queen v. Edmond Edgar Smith

Indexed As: R. v. Smith (E.E.) (No. 2)

Newfoundland Provincial Court

Goulding, P.C.J.

December 10, 1990.

Summary:

The accused pleaded not guilty to a charge of using a firearm while committing an offence contrary to s. 85(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.

The Newfoundland Provincial Court acquitted the accused.

Criminal Law - Topic 1441

Firearms - General - Firearm - What constitutes - The accused robbed a convenience store armed with an air pistol and pleaded guilty to armed robbery - He was also charged with using a firearm in the commission of an indictable offence - The pistol lacked a pellet clip and was, therefore, inoperable - It was also unloaded and the air chamber had a slow leak - The Newfoundland Provincial Court held that the Crown failed to establish that the pistol was a firearm within the definition in s. 84(1) of the Criminal Code.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Brouillard, 59 C.C.C.(2d) 81, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Watkins & Graber, 33 C.C.C.(3d) 265, refd to. [para. 14].

R. v. Covin & Covin, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 725; 50 N.R. 378; 8 C.C.C.(3d) 240; 3 D.L.R.(4th) 558, appld. [para. 18].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 82(1) [paras. 12, 14].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 84(1) [para. 11]; sect. 85(1)(c) [para. 1].

Counsel:

Counsel not disclosed.

This case was heard before Goulding, P.C.J., of the Newfoundland Provincial Court, who delivered the following oral judgment on December 10, 1990.